Give Kids a Smile Day offers New York City children the opportunity to improve their oral health at no cost to their families.

New York (MMD Newswire) May 2, 2011 -- The doctors and staff of Central Park West Dentistry have announced that on Friday, May 13th, 2011, they will donate their time and services to the community, by hosting Give Kids a Smile Day- a day of free pediatric dental care.

Central Park West Dentistry will perform cleanings, exams, fillings, and extractions at no charge. When asked why their dental office has chosen to undertake such a generous task, Dr. John Lhota, owner of CPW Dentistry, replied: "After 25 years of practicing dentistry in New York, I feel very strongly about giving back to my community."

According to the California Dental Association, the national average out-of-pocket expense for patients has risen to 44 % of total dental care cost, leaving large families with a huge bill twice a year for preventive care*. The average cost of a dental visit in Manhattan is almost twice the national average, leading some to avoidant behavior, which can eventually lead to pain and even more costly procedures. Central Park West Dentistry hopes to offset the rising cost of dental care by offering a day of donated dental services to area families.

Dr. Jennifer Martin, practitioner at CPW Dentistry for the last 7 years, emphasized the importance of pediatric preventive care, stating that "an early foundation of regular professional dental care in a non-threatening environment can help prevent a lifetime of dental problems, phobias, and diseases." By creating a fun, positive experience for these children, the staff of CPW Dentistry hopes to educate and promote good oral health in the surrounding community.

Central Park West Dentistry is a full service dental practice on Manhattan's Upper West Side, specializing in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry for patients of all ages.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Holly Mitchell, Office Manager at (212) 579-8885

Your teeth should not be ignored. From bi-annual visits to the dentist to knowing when to call for dental emergency appointments, be smart about your teeth now and you won’t regret it later.

If you experience any of the following problems, then you need to visit an emergency dentist immediately:

Pain

When people feel tooth pain, they often adopt a “wait and see” attitude instead of being proactive and going to the dentist. However, if your teeth or gums hurt, then you could be facing anything from simple cavities and gingivitis to periodontal disease and tooth extractions. The longer you wait, the worse your problem may be—whatever it is. Make an appointment with a dentist immediately.

Broken Teeth

The very idea of broken teeth probably sends shivers down your spine, but they do happen. Kids are especially prone to a chipped or broken tooth. If you or someone in your family has broken a tooth, then you need to make an appointment with an emergency dentist immediately. This is not the sort of thing that should wait.

Missing Teeth

Many of us will never lose another tooth once our baby teeth are gone, but others are not so fortunate. If you lose a tooth, then you need to visit an emergency dentist immediately: If you act swiftly enough, then your dentist may actually be able to reattach your tooth.

If you’re having a dental emergency, then be sure to contact Central Park West Dentistry. Our talented, concerned staff will expertly tend to your problem—and if you’re interested in other cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as Invisalign or implants, then we can help you with those, too. To learn more about the best dental practice in New York City, visit our website or call (866) 868-9546 today.

There are many reasons why you may have taken to hiding your smile. For some, orthodontia was simply too expensive when we were children. For others, orthodontics was affordable and effective, but then proper maintenance wasn’t followed. Whatever the reason, now your teeth aren’t at their best—but there are compelling reasons to change that. Read on to learn why:

1. Increase Your Confidence

There is nothing like being able to smile without giving it a moment’s thought. Your confidence isn’t just boosted by the knowledge that you look good—although that certainly helps—but also by the fact that you don’t have to worry anymore.

2. Prevent Further Problems

Tooth decay isn’t static. It will only get worse as you get older and the cost of fixing orthodontic problems will only get higher. In fact, gingivitis, a gum disease that can be traced back to inadequate brushing and flossing, is incredibly common and acts as a gateway to a whole host of other medical problems. Gingivitis is the cause of periodontitis, which can affect your bone and deeper tissues. Not surprisingly, many people with periodontitis end up losing teeth, but there are even more serious side effects. Scientists don’t understand why, but periodontitis is a risk factor for all sorts of serious health problems, including premature birth, stroke, heart and lung disease, and low birth weight. Getting your smile fixed isn’t just a matter of pride, but it can also seriously impact your quality of life.

3. Decrease Pain

And speaking of quality of life, it’s very rare that “bad” teeth don’t hurt. Whether you’re afflicted with cavities or suffering from the bleeding gums of gingivitis, your mouth probably hurts on a regular basis. The best case scenario is that you’ve simply learned to ignore the pain. Cavities, gum disease, bad bites, crowded mouths—dentists can fix all of these problems, leaving you pain-free and with a confident smile.

If you’re in New York City and want to restore your smile, then you should visit Central Park West Dentistry for a consultation. At Central Park West, our doctors are accomplished implant, cosmetic, and emergency dentists, and we offer smile-saving products like Invisalign. For more information, visit our website or call (866) 868-9546 today.